Fourth-placed Adelaide Strikers takes on seventh-placed Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League 2020 (BBL 2020).
Adelaide lost to Melbourne Renegades by 6 wickets in their last game. Melbourne lost by 18 runs to Brisbane Heat in a 10-over clash disrupted by rain.
Head to Head
Matches Played- 11, Strikers- 6, Stars- 5
Team News
Despite posting a competitive total of 177 onboard, Adelaide's bowlers could not defend it successfully. Peter Siddle was quite expensive and also went wicketless. Siddle has been sidelined for the clash against Melbourne.
Chasing a tough target of 129 runs in 10 overs, Melbourne managed to hit 110. Losing Glenn Maxwell for a duck was a big blow. Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright also leaked a combined 42 runs in their two overs. Melbourne will miss the services of Nicholas Pooran.
Pitch and Conditions
Out of 4 matches played at the Adelaide Oval this season, the victories have been equally split between the sides batting first and the chasing teams. Totals in the range of 180 to 190 are a par score on this surface. The weather is expected to stay cloudy without any chance of rain.
Probable Playing XI
Adelaide Strikers (ADS): Matt Renshaw, Philip Salt, Alex Carey (c & wk), Jake Weatherald, Ryan Gibson, Jonathan Wells, Rashid Khan, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Harry Conway, Daniel Worrall/ Liam O Connor
Melbourne Stars (MLS): Andre Fletcher, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Hilton Cartwright, Nick Larkin, Ben Dunk, Seb Gotch, Adam Zampa, Sam Rainbird, Haris Rauf, Billy Stanlake
Key Battles
Philip Salt (ADS) vs Haris Rauf (MLS)
Salt hit 59 runs in the last game for Adelaide. The explosive opener is the right fit at the top order due to his aggressive style of play. He has been part of the leading T20 leagues across the world. He can score a lot of runs with his free-flowing strokeplay in the powerplay.
Rauf played his first match of the season and conceded 25 runs in his two overs. The right-arm pacer can take wickets in the initial bowlers but can leak a lot of runs too. He can bowl above 140 kph and trouble batsmen with his stock ball and clever variations of pace.
Harry Conway (ADS) vs Nick Larkin (MLS)
Larkin scored a quickfire 16-ball 35 in the previous match. The right-hander is known for his power-hitting, especially in the slog overs. He is a proven match-winner who can change the game in a matter of a few balls.
Conway went wicketless and gave away 23 runs in his 3 overs for Adelaide. The right-arm pacer is known for his lanky action. He is back in action after recovering from a concussion that he suffered during the warm-up game he played against India.
Prediction
Adelaide can move up by one spot to the third place in the points table with a win. Melbourne is still in the race for the playoffs and a victory will take them to the fifth spot. Adelaide's top-order is in good nick at the moment and Melbourne will depend on their middle order to come out firing.
Cricwizz predicts Melbourne Stars to win the match
